"I'm A Little Concerned": Steelers Insider Worries About DeShon Elliott

The Pittsburgh Steelers are going through a bit of a unique offseason. While the summer schedule has calmed however, the team sits just three weeks away from 2026 training camp. Several answers to questions about the roster remain, that might not get sorted through until the end of the month. One thing that needs to be addressed, if it hasn't already, is the passing defense under new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. The team finished 29th overall in the NFL in 2025 in passing defense, allowing 243.9 yards per game. Those numbers must improve for the franchise to get to where they want to go in 2026.

Following last season, players will have the chance to turn over a new leaf under a new coaching staff, led by Head Coach Mike McCarthy. One player that has been able to be not only productive, but also versatile the last few years, is safety DeShon Elliott. He suffered a knee injury in Week 1 last year and missed a few games before returning, only to get seriously injured again in Week 8 against the Green Bay Packers. He would be sidelined for the rest of the year from there. 

As the 2026 campaign approaches, he is one player that can have a huge turnaround season for the Black and Gold. On the latest episode of Steelers Collective, team insider Mark Kaboly discussed how crucial his role at safety will be to the team in the upcoming season. When healthy, he is a valuable asset, which Kaboly alluded to, but there are some questions surrounding him after missing so much time in 2025.

“I’m a little concerned about the safety, DeShon Elliott,” Kaboly said. “He was very good two years ago, he was very good half a year last year before he got injured. If he happens not to be up to speed, or lost a step, or that injury is concerning him whatsoever, which he said it hasn’t, we have to take his word for it -- who fills in there? That’s the problem. Now you’re [Jalen] Ramsey there, you’re moving [Brandin] Echols here, then you’re moving [Joey] Porter Jr. there. I think he might be the lynchpin to keeping this all where they want it to be.”

The team did a great job this offseason adding pieces to the roster, especially in the secondary by signing cornerback Jamel Dean and safety Jaquan Brisker. However, another injury to the former Texas defensive back would not bode well for their chances to improve a passing defense that drastically needs it. 

One thing to consider, despite Kaboly's comments, is that it was believed that Elliott was close to returning in Pittsburgh's Wild Card Round loss to the Houston Texans back in January.

Steelers Would Receive Massive Boost If Elliott Stays Healthy

Kaboly mentioned that Elliott was very good back in 2024. The former Longhorns standout produced two forced fumbles, had three fumble recoveries, and four tackles for loss. He also added an interception with 108 combined tackles, while playing in 15 games at the free safety position for Pittsburgh during that impressive first year with the franchise. The impact of him being out of the secondary last season cannot be understated.

Should the team turn things around with the passing defense in Graham's first year in the Steel City, Elliott and his health will be a driving force in that, just by having his presence on the field. The front office had the right idea in mind by adding to the secondary, given the poor play defending the pass last season, and a guy like Brisker should also provide a big boost in righting the ship in that department. However, given Elliott's past success on the field when healthy, it is not hard to see why this is a potential concern for Kaboly entering the 2026 season.

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